Best cities for a lead software tester
The best cities for lead software testers are Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA, and San Jose, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for lead software testers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for lead software testers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a lead software tester or considering a move, this list of the best cities for lead software testers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for lead software testers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a lead software tester. While the absolute best city for lead software testers is Seattle, WA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for lead software testers in 2024.
If you're looking for a lead software tester job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for lead software testers in 2025
1. Seattle, WA
Total lead software tester jobs: 27 Average annual salary: $130,226 Lowest 10 percent warn: $94,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 40.56 2. San Francisco, CA
Total lead software tester jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $145,819 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $203,000 Location quotient: 17.76 3. San Jose, CA
Total lead software tester jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $144,801 Lowest 10 percent warn: $103,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $201,000 Location quotient: 8.95 4. Los Angeles, CA
Total lead software tester jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $132,459 Lowest 10 percent warn: $95,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $184,000 Location quotient: 14.80 5. Detroit, MI
Total lead software tester jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $98,437 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location quotient: 18.01 6. Oakland, CA
Total lead software tester jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $145,538 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $202,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Las Vegas, NV
Total lead software tester jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $104,648 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $146,000 Location quotient: 10.77 8. Fremont, CA
Total lead software tester jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $145,108 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $202,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Austin, TX
Total lead software tester jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $98,292 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $131,000 Location quotient: 17.08 10. Sacramento, CA
Total lead software tester jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $144,446 Lowest 10 percent warn: $103,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $202,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for lead software testers
- Seattle, WA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Detroit, MI
- Oakland, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Fremont, CA
- Austin, TX
- Sacramento, CA
- (27 lead software tester jobs)
- (14 lead software tester jobs)
- (5 lead software tester jobs)
- (10 lead software tester jobs)
- (3 lead software tester jobs)
- (0 lead software tester jobs)
- (2 lead software tester jobs)
- (0 lead software tester jobs)
- (9 lead software tester jobs)
- (0 lead software tester jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a lead software tester
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $130,226 | $94,000 | 704,352 | 27 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $145,819 | $104,000 | 870,887 | 14 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $144,801 | $103,000 | 1,025,350 | 5 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $132,459 | $95,000 | 3,976,322 | 10 |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | $98,437 | $76,000 | 672,795 | 3 |
| 6 | Oakland, CA | $145,538 | $104,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $104,648 | $74,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 8 | Fremont, CA | $145,108 | $104,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 9 | Austin, TX | $98,292 | $73,000 | 947,890 | 9 |
| 10 | Sacramento, CA | $144,446 | $103,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 11 | San Diego, CA | $125,246 | $90,000 | 1,406,630 | 6 |
| 12 | Stockton, CA | $144,350 | $103,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 13 | Lexington, KY | $105,873 | $81,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 14 | Fresno, CA | $141,296 | $101,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 15 | Reno, NV | $109,758 | $78,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 16 | Louisville, KY | $105,145 | $81,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 17 | Bakersfield, CA | $137,193 | $98,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 18 | Houston, TX | $98,135 | $73,000 | 2,303,482 | 10 |
| 19 | Long Beach, CA | $131,182 | $94,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 20 | Anaheim, CA | $130,877 | $94,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 21 | Santa Ana, CA | $130,462 | $93,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 22 | Riverside, CA | $130,199 | $93,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 23 | San Antonio, TX | $98,692 | $73,000 | 1,492,510 | 2 |
| 24 | Irvine, CA | $130,032 | $93,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 25 | Chicago, IL | $100,682 | $78,000 | 2,704,958 | 28 |
| 26 | Columbus, OH | $92,669 | $71,000 | 860,090 | 3 |
| 27 | North Las Vegas, NV | $104,510 | $74,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 28 | Henderson, NV | $103,928 | $74,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 29 | Cleveland, OH | $93,753 | $73,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 30 | Toledo, OH | $93,239 | $72,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 31 | Portland, OR | $113,762 | $82,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 32 | Chula Vista, CA | $124,309 | $90,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 33 | El Paso, TX | $100,224 | $74,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 34 | Laredo, TX | $99,034 | $73,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 35 | Fort Worth, TX | $96,729 | $72,000 | 854,113 | 1 |
| 36 | Madison, WI | $91,277 | $71,000 | 252,551 | 3 |
| 37 | Corpus Christi, TX | $98,658 | $73,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 38 | Fort Wayne, IN | $93,228 | $72,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 39 | Lubbock, TX | $97,742 | $72,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 40 | Scottsdale, AZ | $93,599 | $68,000 | 246,645 | 8 |
| 41 | Milwaukee, WI | $91,626 | $71,000 | 595,047 | 2 |
| 42 | Raleigh, NC | $90,892 | $70,000 | 458,880 | 5 |
| 43 | Dallas, TX | $96,537 | $72,000 | 1,317,929 | 3 |
| 44 | Arlington, TX | $96,700 | $72,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 45 | Cincinnati, OH | $91,368 | $70,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 46 | Irving, TX | $96,502 | $72,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 47 | Garland, TX | $96,290 | $72,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 48 | Pittsburgh, PA | $89,388 | $69,000 | 303,625 | 3 |
| 49 | Plano, TX | $96,146 | $72,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 50 | Indianapolis, IN | $91,738 | $71,000 | 855,164 | - |
Highest paying cities for lead software testers
| Rank | City | Avg. lead software tester salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $145,819 |
| 2 | Tacoma, WA | $130,392 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $110,490 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $110,063 |
| 5 | Arlington, VA | $101,530 |
| 6 | East Brunswick, NJ | $101,351 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $100,682 |
| 8 | Glastonbury, CT | $99,157 |
| 9 | Novi, MI | $98,375 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $98,292 |
| 11 | Salt Lake City, UT | $97,895 |
| 12 | Sioux Falls, SD | $96,681 |
| 13 | West Des Moines, IA | $94,528 |
| 14 | Phoenix, AZ | $93,663 |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $92,669 |
| 16 | Boston, MA | $92,625 |
| 17 | Menomonee Falls, WI | $91,640 |
| 18 | Raleigh, NC | $90,892 |
| 19 | Pittsburgh, PA | $89,388 |
| 20 | Minneapolis, MN | $88,753 |
Lead software tester best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025